Official May 2011 thread!

[Davey Jones II]

We'll be there the same dates! I kind of hope Star Tours II DOESN'T open that week. If it does the Studios will be MOBBED the entire time.

Most of that mob will be lined up to experience Star Tours, freeing up wait times at every other attraction. I intend to ride ST mostly during EMH.

 

[klm7926]

We'll be there the same time. Staying at the WL. Getting close to double digit countdown.

Same week here.....I can't wait until we hit the 99 mark!!!!

 

[ocalla]

We may have to change our dates to the end of May or the begining of June. Can anyone tell me how bad the crowds are during memorial week? as compared to the following week?

Thanks

 

[Saffire]

May 8-13 at WL. first family trip for DS's twins bday.
can't wait!!

 

[piperett]

I just started my first ever pre-trip report If anyone is interested in following, the link is in my siggy.

Enjoyed reading it, and LOVE your Cinderella picture!

 

[Trip 2 Disney]

We will be taking our 1st trip to WDW May 16th-23rd

 

[Davey Jones II]

We may have to change our dates to the end of May or the begining of June. Can anyone tell me how bad the crowds are during memorial week? as compared to the following week?

Thanks

According to one of my WDW guidebooks, the crowds get very heavy starting just after Memorial Day.

I was at Disneyland on Memorial Day last year, and the very day after. It was busy, but not insanely crowded. Generally speaking, though, as soon as the kids are out of school, watch out.

 

[iggler]

I have all my Adr"s done and am starting to second guess them. I have never been ther before and I am getting mixed reviews on the restaurants, so I am hoping that you all will help me out on this one...
we are going may 29-June 4th staying at the CBR with 2 kids 14 and 11.

5/29 Crystal Palace, (DD hoping to see pooh there)
5/30 Sci fi
5/31 Tutto Italia Or Via Napoli (Had TI just changed it to VN, but now Im not sure?)
6/1 Kona Cafe
6/2 Hollywood and vine with fantamic
6/3 Ohana

I read a lot of bad reviews about Ohana, so if I change it what would be a good choice?
How formal is Tutto Italia?
What about sci-fi? We have a drive in movies here where we live so that isn't such a cool attration for us, was just thinking "fun" for the kids.

My park ADR's are all dinners and I planned them at the parks with the late magic hours. Let me know what you all think and what you would change if it were you?
THANKS<
Iggler

 

[silverhaze269]

I have all my Adr"s done and am starting to second guess them. I have never been ther before and I am getting mixed reviews on the restaurants, so I am hoping that you all will help me out on this one...
we are going may 29-June 4th staying at the CBR with 2 kids 14 and 11.

5/29 Crystal Palace, (DD hoping to see pooh there)
5/30 Sci fi
5/31 Tutto Italia Or Via Napoli (Had TI just changed it to VN, but now Im not sure?)
6/1 Kona Cafe
6/2 Hollywood and vine with fantamic
6/3 Ohana

I read a lot of bad reviews about Ohana, so if I change it what would be a good choice?
How formal is Tutto Italia?
What about sci-fi? We have a drive in movies here where we live so that isn't such a cool attration for us, was just thinking "fun" for the kids.

My park ADR's are all dinners and I planned them at the parks with the late magic hours. Let me know what you all think and what you would change if it were you?
THANKS<
Iggler

I've eaten at O'hana twice, once for a breakfast, and once for a dinner. Both times it was fantastic. I have also read some bad reviews, but I think that no matter where you go the restaurant it prone to having it's "off" days. My mom and dad went to O'hana on their last trip and my mom said it wasn't as good as it was when her and I went there, and my dad (it was his first time there) said it was good, but it would have been better had it been less busy. So maybe try to book it for a time when there might be less people?

I've never been to Tutto Italia, but with your kids I think the new pizza place might be a better choice.

The Sci-Fi Diner is pretty awesome...in my opinion. I don't think the food is anything special. Don't get me wrong, it's good food, but it didn't knock my socks off. What I really liked about that place was the atmosphere. It's so quiet in there! You wouldn't think it, but it is. Some people may not like the projections running while they're eating (old movie ads), but I didn't mind them. I think your kids will love this place!

 

[iggler]

Thanks, this helps releve some of my fears......I do want to make this special for the kids.
Iggler

 

[2girlsmom]

Iggler, I think they look pretty good as far as the ones I have been to. We really liked CP, and we did Ohana for breakfast, which was good, can't speak to supper. We loved Sci Fi, and I think both TI and VN look good, but haven't been to either yet.

So our dates have changes some, now we are looking at 5/25-5/27 at ASMu, then 5/27-5/31 at WL CL. We are now debating adding the night of 5/31 somewhere, but haven't figured that one out yet. We have ADR's as follows:
5/26 LeCellier (lunch)
5/27 Tusker House (lunch)
WCC (supper)
5/28 H&V (supper, Fantasmic)
5/29 Coral Reef (supper)
5/30 Kouzzina (breakfast)
Raglan Road (lunch)
Kona (dinner-birthday for my youngest dd)

 

[klm7926]

100 MORE DAYS!!!!!!!!! Can't wait until we are in the double digits tomorrow!!!!!!

 

[bonitag]

Thanks, for posting this... we are going May 27-June 1st. I was getting a little worried about the crowd level for those days. I have read on other sites that Memorial Day weekend was busy. Spring break was crowded last year, I was hoping for a better trip this year.

 

[Moonies]

100 MORE DAYS!!!!!!!!! Can't wait until we are in the double digits tomorrow!!!!!!

I am dying for our doubledigit day too!!!

 

[jm106]

I am so excited and happily planning away. I love sharing in everyones excitement and itineraries. We are going with our 2 boys, 5 and will be nearly 3. We were there last in may '09.

heres our run down as it stands
May 22- Day1 Arrive MCO @ 10:30 am, head to MK as soon as we can after lunch presumably. CS meal along the way.

Day 2 Epcot- if we make it on time, it will be our first ever rope drop( kids were little on our last trip, had to drive from off site and drop DN at Universal so we never made it to RD.) Break mid day, then San Angel ADR 5:30 pm. Afternoon naps and attitudes will determine possibly illuminations.

Day 3- Down Day- monorail ride then breakfast at CM 10:30 am. Return to pool, ride the bikes at CBR. Then eveing at DTD, maybe back in time for evening swim and see illuminations from the beach.


Day 4 DHS so far No ADR, might do a mid day pool/rest time and eat along the way

Day 5 AK no ADR. Last trip we ran out of time in AK so I am excited to be able to see more. No ADR, maybe a late lunch and dinner back at resort

Day 6 MK again with ADR for late lunch 2:30 Crystal palace (which we canceld last trip because of tornedo warnings and horrible rains so we left the park early, wet and cold. I have high hopes for this time) I would like to see wishes. Last 2 trips we sawWishes on the last evening as a great send off the next day. Hoping to keep the tradition.

Day 7 breakfast, pool, check out, lunch(in no particular order.) Flight home at 4:50 pm

I was really hoping to get into Ohana this trip but I would rather wing it with CS a bit and have more park time and pool time and not be held too closely to ADR. We are toying with Sci Fi but i may see if we can do a walk in at lunch, dh did it sans kids and was fine. if not NBD. We also dod 50s PT but nothing super to rush back to.

 

[Wiloughby1]

100 days for me too! Can't wait!

 

[LES---OKW95]

One more week and we will be at the double digit mark for our next trip "home"!!

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

I have all my Adr"s done and am starting to second guess them. I have never been ther before and I am getting mixed reviews on the restaurants, so I am hoping that you all will help me out on this one...
we are going may 29-June 4th staying at the CBR with 2 kids 14 and 11.

5/29 Crystal Palace, (DD hoping to see pooh there)
5/30 Sci fi
5/31 Tutto Italia Or Via Napoli (Had TI just changed it to VN, but now Im not sure?)
6/1 Kona Cafe
6/2 Hollywood and vine with fantamic
6/3 Ohana

I read a lot of bad reviews about Ohana, so if I change it what would be a good choice?
How formal is Tutto Italia?
What about sci-fi? We have a drive in movies here where we live so that isn't such a cool attration for us, was just thinking "fun" for the kids.

My park ADR's are all dinners and I planned them at the parks with the late magic hours. Let me know what you all think and what you would change if it were you?
THANKS<
Iggler

I have heard nothing but good things about Ohana. I have family members who make sure they go every year. We are trying it out on their recommendation. We are also eating at Hollywood and Vine and Sci-Fi. I've never eaten at either, but you can't go wrong with a Disney buffet. HAV will probably be great b/c all of the buffets I've been to (including Crystal Palace-got to meet Pooh and his friends)have been awesome. There's always something you will like. My Disney failsafe is the roasted chicken. It's on almost every menu, and if I'm not sure...well, chicken it is. No matter what, eating at HAV is gonna be worth it b/c of Fantasmic. In October when we were there people were lining up for 2 hours before it started. The line was all the way down the street. When we got in line it was standing room only, and they couldn't guarantee everyone was gonna get in. We chose to ride the rides instead and didn't get to see the show. We have a guaranteed seating this time. Totally worth it. What you have to remember with ratings is that usually the people sitting down to write them are PO'd about something. Most people are completely happy and never sit down and take the time to write about it. I'm guilty of that. But, if I'm mad...You bet I'll post it! I don't think about it when I'm happy. I've stopped reading the reviews b/c I was second guessing my resort choice b/c of them, and then decided to look at the reviews of where I stayed before. People trashed it in the reviews, and I was completely happy with my stay there. I realized that people are spoiled and complain about silly, petty things sometimes. Though, sometimes complaints are legitimate, most I find are petty. I actually read one about a parent who wrote on a spot on the sheets and when the sheets weren't changed after one day, was upset. I wondered if she changed her sheets every day at home?! I wouldn't expect them to change our sheets until we leave or until we've been there for a week. Anyway, hope that makes you feel better.

 

[Marshay]

I have all my Adr"s done and am starting to second guess them.My park ADR's are all dinners and I planned them at the parks with the late magic hours. Let me know what you all think and what you would change if it were you?
THANKS<
Iggler

Unless you are doing the DDP, I'd recommend breaking up the meals into Lunch and Breakfast, too. When we eat out only for dinner -- 1) it's more expensive and 2) it messes up your evening plans every night, even if it is EMH.

I found it better to add a late breakfast one day and make that your non-park day. Do a lunch in a theme park to help break up your touring of the park or to get a good meal earlier in the day so you can go swimming at night or to DTD or just so you can get on the rides when others are just entering the park for the evening or eating their TS. Anyway, just a thought.

Crystal Palace is probably one of the best places for breakfast. Lunch is next and dinner although good, isn't as good as their other offerings. But whichever meal you do, it'll be lots of good food.

**EDIT ** I see that you are also doing H&V ... as I mention below, CP is VERY similar to H&V. If you can skip seeing Pooh and just see him in the parks, instead, I'd suggest removing this ADR (esp if you want to add another one). We went in July to both H&V and CP and although we enjoyed them both, I found too much the same/similar and would have preferred we eat elsewhere (I like Liberty Tree Tavern for a good old fashioned Thanksgiving type meal).

Sci Fi -- I'm waiting until my youngest doesn't need a high chair anymore so we can all sit in the "car". Will your kids like watching old B&W science films? If they are expecting Toy Story clips and movies that they know, this is not for them.

Tutto vs Napoli -- I haven't tried either. Napoli is more casual. Both get good reviews.

Kona -- one of my favorite places. Very reasonably priced. I've done B-L and D and really enjoy getting a late breakfast. Stuffed french toast and the pulled pork platter for breakfast are my 2 favorites!

H&V -- We've done the lunch character buffet twice and really have enjoyed it tremendously. This meal is very similar to Crystal Palace since they have a lot of the exact same foods. I know you are doing the F! thing but if you have preschoolers, you REALLY want to do the lunch. The characters are always getting up and having everyone dance with them (June, Leo, Handy Manny and JoJo). We'll go here completely tired and then find ourselves up and dancing and clapping and just having a great old time doing the Hot Dog Dance, etc. If you don't have small kids, then this is not for you.

**EDIT** Ok, i just saw you don't have small kids but I'll keep what I wrote there in case others are interested. You should not do the lunch buffet with teens (unless they like that sort of thing)!

O'hanas -- we've been here twice for dinner and I LOVE, LOVE it!! The meats are wonderful and served to you from a huge stick/skewer and the sauces are great! They do some games (coconut races) and waiters are your "cousins". I can't wait to go back. It's also a easy little boat or monorail ride into MK. don't forget to watch the EWP, too!

Anyway, there are my thoughts.

Restaurants are all about personal taste, how tired you are, how cranky the kids are, whether you speak up if you get a fatty steak, etc.

Best wishes!!

 

[BelleChick]

May 27th- June 2nd!!!